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Rhino rehab

Footprints of Hope

In 2018, Lord Ashcroft sponsored the first “Footprints of Hope” programme organised by the Veterans for Wildlife charity. The programme reflected two of Lord Ashcroft’s main interests: helping military veterans and promoting wildlife conservation.

Lord Ashcroft’s sponsorship of Footprints of Hope meant that five UK Armed Forces veterans could travel to South Africa for a two-week course that involved caring for baby, orphaned rhinos. The three men and two women, all suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), were at a secret location close to the Kruger National Park. The programme was arranged by Veterans for Wildlife, a British charity that aims to combat wildlife crime. The course was hosted by a second charity, Care for Wild, which runs a sanctuary for young rhinos whose mothers have been killed by poachers. Lord Ashcroft visited South Africa to write an exclusive feature for The Telegraph Magazine.